Crib deaths back in Bengal

Crib deaths are back to haunt West Bengal with at least 12 babies dying at a hospital in Murshidabad district over the past two days, an official said Sunday.

The deaths occurred at the Jangipur sub-divisional hospital.

"Aged between a few days to five months, most of the babies were malnourished, underweight and suffered from respiratory problems," said Murshidabad's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Health, T.K. Roy.

Roy said a team of paediatricians and district officials visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.

The Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda district had been in the news for infant deaths. While seven such deaths were reported in July, 19 babies died of encephalitis in June. A dozen deaths had occurred in January.

Concerned over the neo-natal deaths in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offering help of the central government.